The Door: My Twenty-Six Years Working Inside Canada's Prisons

by Vern Thibedeau

For Canadian corrections offi cer Vern Thibedeau, it all began at "Disney World"-or at least the penitentiary that ironically carried that nickname. Within ten months, he is seriously injured. One year later he has a pistol aimed at his head during an incident in which two officers and a civilian are shot. Four years later, an inmate murders a correctional offi cer, who is Vern's friend, and a food steward. Over the course of a career spanning twenty six years, Vern was assigned to fi ve different prisons, but his time behind the stark walls of Kingston Penitentiary was his most difficult. During his assignment there, he dealt with some of the most notorious and dangerous inmates in Canada's history, such as Clifford Olson and others as bad as Paul Bernardo and Russell Williams. He was part of several hostage incidents and was taken hostage himself once. The stress of his job manifested itself in a variety of physical and emotional injuries, and he found himself forced to take time off to recover. It all culminated during a horrific time when a sex offender is taken to segregation and his victim is approximately the age of Vern's own daughter. It all struck a little too close for comfort. Later, Vern worked closely with police while investigating a fellow officer who was also a friend. After retirement, Vern is contacted by the police who request more information regarding the investigation. These are his true stories of his years working behind the bars.

Genres: Nonfiction

292 pages, Hardcover

First published January 10, 2012

Reviews

[Jadybaby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I have always since I can remember had a fascination with crime and prisons. I had friends and family who were actually in some of these places talked about in the book. A real eye opener to alot of inside shenanigans that goes on. All these places are in Ontario and I have personally visited a few. Kingston Penitentiary was a trip to say the least. Being inside and seeing how the inmates lived and the graffiti and conditions of some of the areas was crazy. I am psychic and can experience feelings I get when in certain places. There is a main hub were all the prisoners pass through to get anywhere in the facility and as soon as I stepped in this area I completely just started crying I felt such sorrow and pain. As soon I was out of that area I was fine but 2 more times we were in this area I broke down each time. I have had these experiences all my life but this was different it was like I was there at a point in my life and was seeing visions through someone else's eyes. I am going back again next year so will see what happens. I wish I could post some of the pictures I took on here because you could tell a lot by them and how insane this place had been. Been talked about several of the places he worked and told some stories of his experiences and I cannot believe some of the things he had to face without the spoiling of it if you want to read a good honest book about the Ontario Pens this can give you a true heartfelt look into some of what goes on. I am looking forward to reading the next book.

[RhS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Institutions are messy, none more so than the prison system. Finding the truth of a thing requires coming at it from all angles - the perspective of inmates (both the wrongfully and rightfully accused), the family of victims, human rights advocates, the communities made safer by the removal of dangerous citizens, taxpayers, drug rehabilitation experts, psychologists, and the staff tasked with housing convicts 24 hours a day for perpetuity.

I appreciate the author’s time and effort to record his memories working in Canadian corrections. Like all people working in an inherently difficult situation, he was too busy with the nuts and bolts of it to indulge in much philosophizing. Even in the midst of an escape, the rest of the inmates still need to eat lunch. In retrospect, we can learn much from these insights.

I was deeply interested in the content of the book. Prisons are a parallel universe, and every fact is surprising. The structure is lacking in organization, jumping from time period and topic and back again. The author makes up for that with sincerity.

The marketers of the book use lawyerly language on the cover that leads you to believe the author worked directly with Paul Bernardo and Russell Williams. He didn’t. I admit that’s why I bought the book. I’m fascinated with how such predators deal with confinement.

I didn’t get what I bargained for, but I appreciate what I got. Thanks for your service, Vern. Well done.

[Shirley Trimmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very pleased I purchased this particular book after touring KP. It offers a clear insight into the
the life of a corrections officer and the rippling effect it has on their personal life.
Of great interest is the too often disconnect between the government in their ivory tower and the convicts and the staff who must carry out some rather ridiculous rules.
Always interesting is the need to be intuitive to the daily life of the inmates. This appears to be a priceless gift.
One must appreciate the no nonsense directness of the author. To appreciate the life of a con and the correction officer this book is a must read.

[Dan Stern · Rating 5 out of 5]

Verified Purchase
This book is an intriguing look into a world most of us know nothing about - Canada's prison system. Author and former guard Vern Thibedeau offers up some interesting insight into prison life and some pretty amazing stories to keep you turning pages. Definitely worth your time. (A couple pics could have added to the book, but I suppose there were probably rules about that)

[Jenna Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vern's account of his experiences during his 26 year long career are both chilling and of great interest to those who have never worked inside a correctional facility. After visiting Kingston Penn., I was eager to purchase Vern's book and learn more about his experiences. A captivating story that keeps you wondering "what next?"

[Thunder the Unicorn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book annoyed me. I found it very hard to finish due to the writing style, number one, and overuse of exclamation marks. The stories were good, but most anticlimactic. I expected more from the mention of Bernardo, Olsen and Williams. There wasn't even an interaction between himself and Williams or Bernardo. Some of his actions were frustrating, and made me feel like I was glad he wasn't my co-worker. But I am also a woman, and well his descriptions of interactions with females seemed a little childish.

[Sandra Burton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Crazy job. Would have liked more details on the inmates.

[Ashley Hubert · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolutely obsessed with this book, the prison system is a huge interest of mine so i would read this over and over again it was so good.